S is for Synonyms: Building Skills

 Awesome! Amazing! Superb! Fabulous! Fantastic! Excellent! Astonishing! Extraordinary! Incredible!

These adjectives are synonymous to each other.  However some are more suitable to describe one thing than another.  Selecting the right word can clarify your idea and improve the quality of your speech/writing.

A synonym is a word that has the same or a similar meaning to another word.  The opposite of that is an antonym where the two words are in opposition to each other.  S is for synonym and S is for same which is a technique used to remember the meaning of 'synonym'. 

It is a useful skill to practice listing out words that are similar. It helps to expand vocabulary and to improve speech and writing. A typical sentence for an early learner might be 'I like dogs.' Their typical sentences that follow are 'I like cats.'  'I like birds.' I like...'  Sample synonyms for like are love, enjoy, adore, admire, dig and appreciate. Synonyms for dogs would be canines, pups and pooches. So now they can write 'I dig dogs.  I love canines. I enjoy pups.' You can see how the idea is the same but the picture changes a little as the description is clarified by the choice of words. It is richer and more unique.

A teacher or audience who is subject to multiple presentations on the same subject will appreciate the unique twists and turns of people who make it unique to their own style by the use of a variety of words included by the practice of finding synonyms for typical word choices.  It is a simple method to improve the level of writing/speech. 

When I tutor children, I guide them to use a variety of words and to try not to keep repeating a specific word like, "I know that...and I know...." It keeps their reader interested and engaged in what they are saying.  It shows they put time into expressing their thoughts and are not just rambling on for the sake of completing the task. It raises the level of communication.  These are important skills to build in children as they grow.  

It is helpful for an adult to model this, even in one response.  For example, "You are so funny! You were silly like a clown. Definitely humorous!"  or..."Which blue do you like best? Navy, turquoise or sky blue?" or..."That basketball player is so quick! His speed is amazing!"

Reading books that are descriptive, playing games to label the same thing with different words until you run out of ideas or creating a book of words with their synonyms are also helpful.  When learning a new word, listing a simple synonym for it to the side will help with memory (illustration=drawing) The word association is useful to improve the skill and help information 'stick'. 

Knowing synonyms also helps on tests which often include questions such as "Find a synonym for __ in the story." Even if you are not certain, you can often locate  the unfamiliar words and based on context rightly determine if the familiar word makes sense as a substitute for that word.  If it fits, it is a synonym and you learned something new!

The English language is diverse and rich!  Enjoy building your vocabulary skills through the practice of identifying and using synonyms. Start today!